Photo via Atomazul on Shutterstock
Fall isn’t only the season of changing leaves, brisk air and pumpkin patches. In Ontario, it’s also the perfect season to uncover spooky historical facts about our local towns. With Halloween right around the corner, it’s only fitting to talk about (allegedly) haunted places. And this next fall adventure just so happens to be that. We’re making a road trip to one of Canada’s oldest cities – Kingston, Ontario. Here’s where you’ll find the infamous McBurney Park, aka “Skeleton Park”.
It may make sense as to why Kingston is full of history – it was Canada’s First Capital in 1841.
But being first also means there are a lot of skeletons in the closet… or rather, in the park. Get it?
Growing up in Kingston, there was a lot of lore surrounding a few points of interest in the city.
The castle-like building with the red roof that we wished was Disney’s Magic Kingdom, ended up being a multilevel correctional facility, Collins Bay Institution; the haunted Chez Piggy Alley and of course, Skeleton Park.
McBurney Park is a 3.2-acre space located in the east end of Kingston. Here you’ll find a play structure, a splash pad, paths, a basketball court and possible human remains.
According to Visit Kingston, it was once the Upper Burial Ground for the city and transformed into a park in the 1880s “due to capacity issues and grave robberies.”
Delightful.
And of course, you knew to avoid the park at night because it’s supposedly haunted. It is said that locals often report stories of their ghostly encounters in the park area. I, for one, can’t say the same – I avoided the park at all costs.
Per Visit Kingston, the park dates back to the early 1800’s, where it is said that civilians and British and French soldiers were buried – many died from cholera epidemics.
Of course, prior to its park transformation, human remains were removed however more have been found as the years went by. A protruding bone has been found here and there.
In the same breath, locals can tell you it’s a great park to take a quick break as you venture to the downtown core. It’s a quiet neighbourhood!
And there’s even a festival that is held here every year – the Skeleton Park Arts Festival.
It is a free, grassroots, multi-disciplinary art experience that takes place on the summer solstice weekend. A few pop-up events occur around the neighbourhood throughout the year, too.
As eerie as it sounds, McBurney Park has become a beloved part of Kingston’s community, blending history, folklore, and art in one quiet part of the city.
While some may visit hoping to catch a glimpse of the supernatural, others simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon under the trees, unaware of the secrets the park may hold beneath their feet.
Whether you’re seeking a ghostly tale or just a serene escape, Skeleton Park offers a little something for everyone – a reminder that history, no matter how haunting, has a way of staying with us.
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